North London 3’s Vs Harrow Town
Firstly I would like to congratulate Ben Maddison on a successful return to North London, 2.3 overs 1 for 58 (roughly). On a more serious note it was good to see you and your dad back at the club, you both have many friends here and are always welcome.
Our chance to beat the top team in the league began badly as I lost the toss yet again, we were inserted and quickly reduced to 20 for 2, however solid, responsible batting from Thommo and Dobbo helped us to 100 for 2, Dobbo was also the topic of conversation off the pitch as he was likened to a 1920’s aristocratic gentleman who would turn up to games in his red convertible with a bottle of champagne in the glove box, he would stride into the dressing room, bag slung over his blazer, his cravat blowing in the wind, ladies heads would turn as the young brash Dobbo emerged roll-up in one hand bat in the other. Dobbo would then wow the crowd with a masterful array of fluent strokes. As we sat there remarking on the fictional Dobbo, the real Dobbo got out for a good 23.
George Thompson decided to pick the pace up and began to open his shoulders, and although I am not directly saying that George counts his runs, raising his bat on 47 seems to be rather conclusive evidence. Jack Godfrey Wood came in at 5 and showed class and confidence from the start of his innings and Harrow town must have been taken aback by the strength in depth of our batting. Thommo was finally dismissed for an excellent 79. Jack continued to bat with masterful ease until he was out LBW for 56.
Our Middle order wavered slightly as we attempted to increase our run-rate at the end, although James Turner batted well for 18. We declared on 250 from 53 overs leaving the game delicately in the balance.
Tea was a good one, there was fresh bread used to make some lovely sandwiches, chicken nuggets, Jaffa Cakes, and some other very good cakes, although we did feel slightly aggrieved when we saw Harrow Town 1’s being served piping hot chicken wings. For a more up to the minute, detailed MCL 3’s teas report, watch out for North London Teas of the decade a feature that I have just made up but that I will discuss with Guy (a Northerner who appreciates the quality of the sandwich) and the Chairman and try to post something on Chairmans Lounge. Anyway back to the Cricket:-
In reply Harrow Town got off to a quick but lucky start with some streaky edges going into gaps, Matt Buckley opened the bowling and ‘The Aussie’ complete with fan club bowled a good 10 overs on the bounce.
We got their 1st wicket down and were filled with optimism, Ben Maddison stepped up to bowl at their number 3, who was having a quick outing for HT 3’s before going back to India to play 1st class cricket decided that he liked Ben, in fact he liked him so much that he hit him for 30 in his first over, welcome back fella, have a shit one! We showed great character and even as we watched him hit a 12 ball fifty, we were continuously encouraging one and other.
John Scantlebury came on and looked impressive from the start, he dismissed numbers 3 and 4 in consecutive balls as HT lost 3 wickets in 4 balls. It was a fantastic and although slightly surreal feeling to have an opposition with 140 from 16 overs but still feel as if we were in complete control. We fielded with intensity and commitment, Bob Pederson took a fantastic catch behind the stumps and Jack Wood took two difficult chances, Georg also took a superb catch above his head at first slip to a ball that was traveling like a bullet. We knew that if we could keep the momentum going and apply the pressure then wickets would keep coming, and they did.
Peter McCaig came on for Matt Buckley and had a point to prove, he did this emphatically bowling better than I have seen him bowl before, taking 3 wickets and showing the passion and aggression that is making us such a strong team. With the sun dropping low and one wicket to get I decided that Ben Madisson would be the best option to get the last wicket, as he came on the sun went in but this did not matter as their number 11 scooped one up for James Turner to catch.
report by: The Beef